Browsing by Author "Sitthi-Amorn, Chitr"
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Item Compliance with treatment of adult epileptics in a rural district of Thailand.(2003-01-08) Asawavichienjinda, Thanin; Sitthi-Amorn, Chitr; Tanyanont, WacharinBACKGROUND: Epilepsy, a disease when seizures can occur from antiepileptic drug withdrawal, requires regular drug taking. Non-compliance, therefore, is a major factor contributing to sub-optimal control of the seizures. PURPOSE: To determine the factors associated with noncompliance in epileptics in rural Thailand. METHOD: All epileptics, registered in the Pak Thong Chai District and their caregivers were invited to be interviewed and examined by a neurologist in their village. RESULTS: Of a total of 93 epileptics registered, 83 with their caregivers were interviewed and examined by the neurologist (T.A.) and of those 72 were adults. Of the 72 adult epileptics, 41 (56.9%) were 100 per cent compliant and factors found to be significantly associated with compliance were gender, household income and patient's health insurance (p-value < 0.05). The major reasons for non-compliance were misunderstanding (48.4%), forgetfulness (16.1%) and economic problem (12.9%). CONCLUSION: To improve patient-compliance, the real factors for non-compliance, which are unique to patients in a specific area, need to be identified.Item Factors affecting the experiences of drug use by adolescents in a Bangkok slum.(2005-07-22) Laoniramai, Patrapan; Laosee, Orapin C; Somrongthong, Ratana; Wongchalee, Sunanta; Sitthi-Amorn, ChitrThe purpose of this research was to study the demography, financial status, social status, knowledge of amphetamines, perceived harmfulness of amphetamines, and life skills in the prevention of drug abuse in adolescents. The factors leading to drug use among young people were also studied. The study group was composed of 354 subjects aged 12 to 22 years, living in 2 slums in Bangkok. The research showed that about 7% of the sample group had used drugs before. Four percent had never used drugs, but someone had tried to talk them into using them. Almost 20% had friends who had used drugs, and 11% had friends who were still using drugs. About 13% of the adolescents in the study group had family members who used drugs and another 9% had family members who were still using drugs. In our study, we found that the most common drug group was amphetamines. On average, the participants had a low level of understanding about drug abuse, especially of the symptoms, side effects, and legal penalties. Most of the adolescents realized how harmful amphetamines and other drugs were and had a high degree life skills. Factors influencing adolescent drug use were (1) personal factors, such as monthly income/allowance and life skills; (2) family environment, such as drug abuse history in the family; and (3) social environment, such as a drug abuse history among friends. When studying the life skill factors of the adolescents, which is an independent factor capable of influencing the experience with drugs, the researchers found that the time spent with other members of the family and the family members' drug experiences were the only factors leading to life skills in the prevention of drug abuse in adolescents. In addition to letting children learn on their own, training them to acquire life skills is beneficial when faced with problematic situations. Creating relationships between adolescents and other members of the family, friends, and society can increase their life skills, diminishing the risk of drug abuse.Item Prevalence of epilepsy in rural Thailand: a population-based study.(2002-10-28) Asawavichienjinda, Thanin; Sitthi-Amorn, Chitr; Tanyanont, WacharinBACKGROUND: A study of the community-based burden of illness based upon prevalence is needed to plan intervention strategy. PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of epilepsy in a rural population in Thailand. METHOD: From January to June, 2000, all of the people in Talardkav sub-district were invited to be interviewed and examined by a neurologist who visited their village. RESULTS: Of the 2,069 people in 553 households who gave information (72.2% of the total households), 43 had a history of seizure and of the 43, 15 were epileptics. The prevalence of epilepsy was estimated at 7.2 per 1,000 population. The highest two peaks were in the age groups of 5-9 and 25-34 years (17.0, 17.4/1,000, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of epilepsy in rural Thailand is low, although probably underestimated, but it is the best to date for rural Thailand.Item Single hydrogen peroxide vaginal douching versus single-dose oral metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a randomized controlled trial.(2003-06-22) Chaithongwongwatthana, Surasith; Limpongsanurak, Sompop; Sitthi-Amorn, ChitrOBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of single hydrogen peroxide vaginal douching and a single oral dose of metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. METHOD: A randomized trial was performed at the outpatient clinic in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. 142 patients diagnosed as having bacterial vaginosis were randomly allocated into two groups. The subjects in the first group were douched with 20 milliliters of 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide and received an oral placebo. The subjects in the second group received oral metronidazole 2 grams orally and were douched with a placebo. The cure rate in each group was assessed using Amsel's criteria 2 weeks after treatment. RESULT: The cure rate in the subjects treated with hydrogen peroxide douching was lower than the cases who received oral metronidazole (62.5% versus 78.6%, p-value = 0.036). Rate of gastrointestinal side effects in metronidazole group was higher than in the hydrogen peroxide group (48.6% versus 13.9%, p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Single hydrogen peroxide vaginal douching was less effective than a single oral dose of metronidazole in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.Item The Thai version of the quality-of-life in epilepsy inventory (QOLIE-31-Thai version): translation, validity and reliability.(2005-12-08) Asawavichienjinda, Thanin; Phanthumchinda, Kammant; Sitthi-Amorn, Chitr; Love, Edgar JOBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and reliability of the QOLIE-31-Thai Version. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The original questionnaire of the QOLIE-31 was first translated into Thai and, then, item comprehension was assessed. Back translation into English and cross-cultural modification were conducted. Its reliability was assessed using a sample of consenting epileptics aged 18-65 years visiting community hospitals in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty one epileptics completed the questionnaire. The internal consistency of each scale of the QOLIE-31 was above the accepted standard of 0.7, except for Cognitive Functioning, Medication Effect and Social Functioning. CONCLUSION: The QOLIE-31-Thai Version is reliable for use in Thai rural epileptics even for low educated epileptics but interviews might have to be used instead.